Plans submitted for dozens of new homes in Smallbridge

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has submitted plans for 39 houses in Great Howarth, Smallbridge.

If given the go-ahead, the two, three and four-bedroom homes will be built on land where four blocks of flats once stood.

Some will be available as rent-to-buy properties while others will be offered as shared ownership.

A children’s playground to the south of the site will be retained.

A design and access statement accompanying the application says the new houses will ‘elevate the look of the area following the demolition of the previous flats’.

It adds that the proposed houses would be match existing buildings ‘in order to preserve the character of the area’.

Gemma Wood, head of development and regeneration at RBH, said: “We’re determined to play our part in delivering more homes for local communities in Rochdale borough, but also the high quality and positive mix of homes that local people need.

“Our proposals will deliver brand new high-quality homes and also broaden the mix of homes in the Smallbridge area and provide new affordable options for local people.

“We received an extremely positive response from local residents at our consultation event and we’ve ensured that the views of the community are reflected in our planning application.”

Concerns have been raised in the Pennines over housing developments heaping extra strain on the A58 as well as public services such as schools, and doctor and dentist surgeries.

But Smallbridge and Firgrove councillor John Blundell said there was no getting away from the fact that the borough needs more new homes.

He said: “The borough is much in need of homes,  but what we need to get right is where we put them, and any mitigating factors for things like traffic – and also that they are properly considered by the planning process.
“If residents do have concerns I’m happy to look into those and make sure they are properly looked at and addressed but the borough needs houses.”

Coun Blundell, who is also cabinet member for regeneration, business, skills and employment, says that balancing the need for more homes with further demands on infrastructure is not just an issue in the Pennines.

He added: “There’s a lot of pressure on services right across the borough but there’s no easy place to build and, ultimately, we must house people.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter